Organ Donation: Grant Enlightens Students

Did you know that every 80 minutes a patient passes away due to the shortage of available organs for transplant? Camas High Senior, Rachel Grant, found that out recently and decided to teach others about organ donation.

Camas High School requires it seniors to complete a “Senior Project,” which can involve shadowing a professional in a given career field, community service, inventions, and anything that challenges the student.

Senior Rachel Grant

Seniors submit projects for approval, and once approved, the senior embarks on his or her given project.

So Grant decided to pursue a project focused on organ donation.

She said she had a few experiences that solidified her choice for a Senior Project.

“I was away from home over the summer and had very little to do, so my mind was clear of deadlines and things to remember,” she said. “I was watching TV and retaining just about everything because of the space available in my mind, when a commercial came on, detailing the facts about organ donation. I was touched by the stories of selfless people who simply said ‘yes’ while at the DMV.”

According to LifeCenter Northwest, each ‘yes’ has the potential to save over eight lives and improve the lives of over 100 people.

“So, my Senior Project is based around organ donation,” Grant continued. “I have done extensive research and talked with people who are living donors. I’ve talked with the majority of the Freshmen English classes at Camas High School, informing them of the facts about organ donation, so they could choose, upon receiving their license, to be or not to be an organ donor. I always thought it was strange that people are asked to make a decision that isn’t taught
in driver’s education or any kind of class taught at school. I want people to be informed and make an educated decision.”

Grant worked for months to plan and execute her project, which culminated in a two-day event on February 13-14 at Camas High School. She provided students with all the facts she had available about organ donation.

She had two large posters on which students signed, indicating that they were organ donors. When the students signed the poster, they were given a treat. Dairy Queen donated 10 ‘Free Treat’ coupons, knowing the importance of her project.

As the event concluded, the posters were full of signatures, and the event exceeded her expectations.

“I’m pleased with the overall success and I felt enlightened to know how many students at Camas High School are organ donors,” said Grant.

Organ Donation Facts*:

Fact: The number of individuals in need of transplants continues to grow but the number of people who register to be a donor is not keeping pace.

Fact:
 Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history.

Fact:
 Every 80 minutes a patient passes away due to the shortage of available organs for transplant.

Fact:
 Transplant success rates increase when organs are matched between members of similar ethnic backgrounds. Ethnic minorities wait twice as long as white Americans for kidney transplants.

Fact:
 Most major religions in
the United States support organ, eye, and tissue donation, seeing it as the final act of love and generosity toward others.

Fact:
 If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is saving your life. Organ, eye, and tissue donation can only be considered after you are deceased.

Fact:
 There is no discrimination due to age, sex, race, sexual orientation, occupation, social status, financial status, or any other factor when determining who gives or receives an organ.

Fact:
 An open casket funeral is possible for organ, eye, and tissue donors. Through the entire donation process the body is treated with care, respect, and dignity.

Fact:
 There is no cost to the donor or their family for organ, eye, and tissue donation.

Fact:
 Agreeing to donation for research when registering donation wishes for organ, eye, and tissue donation, does not include whole body donation.

The Numbers:

As of February 14^th, 2012, there are 112,995 people on the waiting list for an organ transplant.
There were 12,958 donors in 2011, not nearly as many donors as people waiting for an organ.

*Facts from LifeCenter Northwest and United Network for Organ Sharing

Grace Harker and Paige Jackson sign a posted indicating they are organ donors.

Cait Peterson is all smiles.

A Camas High School students sign an organ donor poster.